The blessing is a plea to God, not a guarantee of any effect.A priest or other church leader may bless a cross before it is used in a church ceremony or displayed in the church.
Step 1: You can choose a cross or crucifix.
A crucifix has an image of Christ on the cross, while a plain cross has only the shape of it.The crucifix is used in most official Catholic and Orthodox ceremonies.Protestants prefer the bare cross over the crucifix.There are many variations on the cross and crucifix with different numbers and types of bars.If you're a member of a church, you may want to ask your priest or minister what type of cross they use.There are crucifixes that have a skull beneath Christ's feet.This is common in Catholic tradition, but not required by most denominations.
Step 2: A priest or other religious leader can bless the cross.
A blessing from a priest, deacon, or other church leader is considered to be more effective than a layman's blessing in the Catholic church.The blessing used for a small cross is up to the priest.May this cross and the one who uses it be blessed, in the name of the Father, and, of course, the Son.One possible Orthodox blessing: "O Creator and Author of mankind, the same Lord, send down the Holy Spirit, with a blessing from on high, upon this cross, that is fortified by the might of heavenly protection."Amen.See the section on using the blessed cross for more information on the difference between a priest's blessing and another person.
Step 3: You should bless the cross.
The effect of a priest's blessing on the cross is not the same as it is on other objects.You may say a prayer while doing so, for example, "Lord, bless this Cross that it may be an instrument of Your divine mercy in the Name of the Father, and the Son."Thank you for the Cross in the Name of the Father and the Son.
Step 4: The official blessing for a cross or crucifix is given by a priest.
The bible does not include any rituals for blessing the cross, but the catholic church has created a collection of rituals called the Rituale Romanum.There is a blessing for crosses on the wall of a church.
Step 5: Understand sacramentals.
sacramental objects are usually created by God through the church, not through laymen, in official Catholic practice and in most other denominations.The sacraments, which are rites of extreme importance to the church, have similar, but not identical, effects as the minor sacraments.According to some theologians, a cross blessed by a priest may be able to ward off evil or forgive venial sins, even though experts disagree on how effective sacramentals are.Protestant denominations don't often use the term sacraments.
Step 6: Understand the nature of a blessing without a priest.
An unordained person is welcome to conduct blessings, but these are pleas to God, not the creation of a sacramental object.There is no guarantee that the cross will be consecrated.It can't be used in church ceremonies until it gets an official blessing from the church leader.
Step 7: Wear crosses or crucifixes with respect.
The church doesn't give instructions on how to wear a small cross.Wear it as you please, but treat it with respect.Don't wear it as jewelry or a fashion statement.Even if you don't consider it disrespectful, Catholics are discouraged from wearing the cross in a way that causes scandal or offense.
Step 8: There is a way to dispose of an old cross.
If a cross is sold for a profit, it will lose its blessing.The cross may be blessed a second time if it hasn't been broken.If you want to remove the appearance of a cross, melt it or break it into pieces.You can either bury the melted metal or use it for something else.